a series of storms set to barrel across america, possibly producing christmas day tornadoes in the south and then a huge mess in the northeast. just as people are trying to get home after the holiday. in parts of the country, the action has already begun, and here's abc's alex perez. >> reporter: it's the nightmare before christmas travelers were hoping to avoid. blankets of snow from central new york to northern california creating christmas chaos for some parts of the country. >> we're hoping we don't sit on the runway. we did that last time and it's not fun. >> reporter: in chicago, paula gagerman and her three daughters arrived early for their christmas eve flight. they are among the millions taking to the crowded skies today. what's that stress like when you got to get somewhere and you're traveling with family and it's not -- mother nature is not cooperating? >> extremely stressful. >> we're like, come on, come on, come on. we just want to get there. come on, we're going to be late, we're going to be late, come on. it's really annoying. >> reporter: in northern california, a huge s